Starting in 2025, Queensland will introduce new electrical safety laws to better protect workers and the community. These changes are aimed at tackling important safety concerns, especially in higher-risk areas like domestic roof spaces and near energised equipment.
Here’s what’s coming:
- Mandatory De-energisation: Before entering domestic roof spaces, the power must be turned off to keep tradespeople safe.
- Boosted Arc Flash Protections: Stricter rules will apply for working near live systems to help prevent serious accidents.
- Updated Equipment Classifications: Electrical items associated with water will now be classified under legislation as prescribed electrical equipment.
These updates reflect key points from the Department’s media release, ensuring everyone is in the loop. Details extracted from the Department’s website can be found below:
“From 1 April 2025, water equipment will be defined as ‘prescribed electrical equipment’.
From 1 January 2025, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) and workers will be required to de-energise relevant electrical installations or otherwise comply with additional safety measures, in order to carry out work in or when entering the roof space of a domestic building.
Also from 1 January 2025, requirements for performing electrical work ‘on’ energised electrical equipment will be extended to electrical work ‘near’ (being within three meters of an exposed energised part of) energised electrical equipment. These changes respond to the risk of arc flash from working near energised electrical equipment.
Finally, from 1 April 2025, water equipment will be captured under legislation as prescribed electrical equipment. Using newly introduced powers from the Electrical Safety Act 2002 prescription of water equipment recognises that extra low voltage equipment in water can cause a current in the water which may lead to paralysis and drowning.”
These updates underscore the Queensland Government’s commitment to workplace safety and accident prevention. Businesses must ensure compliance to uphold these life-saving standards.
Stay informed and prepare for these changes. Learn more at WorkSafe Queensland.
